Endotracheal intubation device (II)

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an endotracheal intubation device that will allow visualization of the airway of a patient during intubation simultaneous with suctioning ability to remove debris in the airway. The endotracheal intubation device includes a light source disposed to shine proximal to the distal end of an endotracheal tube and means for connection to a suction source. The light source may be built into the endotracheal tube or may consist of a lighted sleeve encasing a suction trocar. The light source may be disposed to shine axially or radially from the proximal end to the distal end of an endotracheal tube and may be fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature. The shape of the endotracheal tube may be adjusted either by use of a malleable suction trocar made out of a malleable material such as aluminum or by inclusion of a malleable wire within the tube.

PRIORITY

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part under 35 USC 120 of PCTapplication PCT/US01/01856, filed Jan. 19, 2001, the entirety of whichis incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to medical instruments generally and moreparticularly to an endotracheal intubation device having a light sourcefor illumination during intubation and a means for attaching the deviceto a suction source.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0003] Endotracheal intubation is a medical procedure that is used toestablish a secure direct path for air under emergency resuscitationconditions or during induction of general anesthesia.

[0004] A clear airway is often critical for resuscitation efforts. Anendotracheal tube may be used by medical personnel to establish anairway during resuscitation. This is necessary because the airway canbecome obstructed, either by a foreign body or by fluid, blood, ortissues such as the patient's tongue. Additionally, a patient in a majorarrest state is unable to move air and as a result death rapidly ensuesin the absence of introduced oxygen through the airway.

[0005] During intubation, an endotracheal tube must be passed throughthe vocal cords. Often, lighting is inadequate and foreign bodies,fluids, blood, loose dentures, or a flaccid tongue may compromisevisualization of the vocal cords.

[0006] Often during an intubation procedure, a practitioner holds alighted endotracheal blade in one hand, to elevate the palate andimprove visualization, and a suction tube in the other hand, to removeloose debris that may be blocking visualization. However, in order tointroduce the endotracheal tube, the suction must be put aside, therebycompromising visualization.

[0007] The present invention is designed to overcome the aforementionedvisualization difficulties during intubation. The present invention isan endotracheal intubation device containing a light source and havingsimultaneous suctioning ability, enabling a practitioner to applysuction to a patient's airway while at the same time visualizing theairway for insertion of the endotracheal tube. The light source isdesigned to shine proximal of the distal end of the endotracheal tube.The invention includes an endotracheal tube with a light source that iseither fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature. One variation includesa suction trocar inside the endotracheal tube in which the trocar isencased in a light-emitting sleeve. The light source for the sleeve maybe either fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature and the trocar may bemade of a malleable material. One example of such a malleable materialis aluminum. Another embodiment includes an endotracheal tube with alight source built in. The light source may be fiberoptic orchemiluminescent in nature and may shine either axially or radially fromthe proximal end toward the distal end of the endotracheal tube. Thelighted endotracheal tube may include a connection to a suction sourceand a malleable wire for adjustment of the shape of the tube underemergency conditions such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention is an endotracheal intubation device that willallow rapid intubation of a patient by allowing an intubator tovisualize the patient's airway while at the same time suctioning outdebris that could compromise visualization.

[0009] Generally, the inventive endotracheal intubation device containsboth a suction source and a light source. The light source is placed sothat it shines proximal to the distal end of the endotracheal tube. Thelight source may be either fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature. Itmay be disposed to shine either axially or radially from the proximalend of the endotracheal tube towards its distal end.

[0010] The endotracheal intubation device may include a suction trocarencased in a lighted sleeve within an endotracheal tube, enabling anintubator to simultaneously visualize a patient's airway and suction outdebris through the suction trocar. The light source for the lightedsleeve may be either fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature.

[0011] The endotracheal intubation device typically contains a suctiontrocar made out of a malleable material and encased in a lighted sleevewithin an endotracheal tube, enabling an intubator to simultaneouslyvisualize a patient's airway and suction out debris through the suctiontrocar. By bending the malleable trocar, an intubator may change theshape of the endotracheal tube. An example of a malleable material thatmay be used for construction of the trocar is aluminum.

[0012] The endotracheal intubation device may have the light sourcebuilt into the endotracheal tube and disposed to shine light proximal tothe distal end of an endotracheal tube. The light source of thisinvention may be either fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature and thelight may be disposed to shine either axially or radially from theproximal end of the endotracheal tube towards its distal end. Theinvention may further include means for connection of the endotrachealtube to a suction source.

[0013] Finally, the inventive endotracheal intubation device preferablyincludes a ring of light-emitting material at the proximal end of anendotracheal tube as a light source. The light source may be eitherfiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature. The invention may furtherinclude connection of the endotracheal tube to a suction source and mayalso further include a malleable wire within the endotracheal tube foradjusting the shape of the tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endotracheal intubation devicein accordance with the present invention having a suction trocar and alighted sleeve for the suction trocar.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an endotracheal intubation devicein accordance with the present invention having a light source builtinto the endotracheal tube and a separate connection to a suctionsource.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an endotracheal intubation devicein accordance with the present invention having a chamber for inclusionof a chemiluminescent liquid, gel, or solid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, there isshown in FIG. 1 an endotracheal intubation device 100 in accordance withthe present invention. The invention includes an endotracheal tube 105having a proximal end 130 and a distal end 135. The endotracheal tubeincludes an air injection tube 115 and an inflatable cuff 110. Theinvention further includes a suction trocar 125 which fits within alighted sleeve 120. The suction trocar may be connected to a suctionsource (not shown). A preferred light source for the trocar sleeve isfiberoptic. Another preferred light source for the trocar sleeve ischemiluminescent. The suction trocar 125 may be made of a malleablematerial. A preferred malleable material for the suction trocar isaluminum, although polymeric materials such as polyethylene orpolypropylene may also be used.

[0018] In FIG. 2 is shown another variation of an endotrachealintubation device 150 in accordance with the present invention. Theinvention includes an endotracheal tube 155 having a proximal end 200and a distal end 205. The endotracheal tube includes an air injectiontube 165 and an inflatable cuff 160. The invention further includes alight source 170 built into the endotracheal tube and a means forconnecting the tube to a suction source 185. Flexible tubing 190 may beused to connect the endotracheal tube to a suction motor (not shown).The light source is disposed to shine axially or radially from theproximal end 200 to the distal end 205 of the endotracheal tube. Apreferred shape for the light source is a ring of light emittingmaterial. A preferred light source is fiberoptic. A fiberoptic powercord 175 may be used to connect the tube to a fiberoptic power source(not shown). Another preferred light source is chemiluminescent. Theinvention may further include a malleable wire 180 for adjusting theshape of the endotracheal tube.

[0019] The light emanating from the chemiluminescent light source may becarried from that source by optical fibers or fiberoptics implanted inthe wall of the endotracheal tube and extending towards the distal endof the tube. The termination of the optical fibers may be adapted toshine light distally of the endotracheal tube.

[0020]FIG. 3 shows another variation 300 of the invention. Thisvariation includes a chamber 302 for inclusion of a chemiluminescentliquid, gel, or solid. A preferred variation is the inclusion of aninduced or catalyzed chemiluminescent material such as that sold inCyalurone “Lightsticks.” An example of a chemiluminescent reaction is:

[0021] Modifications of the device described above that are apparent toone of nary skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of theclaims that follow.

We claim as our invention:
 1. An endotracheal intubation devicecomprising: a. an endotracheal tube having an endotracheal tube wallwith a distal end; and b. a chemiluminescent light source disposed toshine light at least distally of the distal end of the endotrachealtube.
 2. The endotracheal intubation device of claim 1 furthercomprising a suction tube.
 3. The endotracheal intubation device ofclaim 2 further comprising a suction source.
 4. The endotrachealintubation device of claim 1 further comprising a suction trocar.
 5. Theendotracheal intubation device of claim 4 further wherein said suctiontrocar comprises a malleable material.
 6. The endotracheal intubationdevice of claim 1 wherein said chemiluminescent material comprises agel, liquid, or solid.
 7. An endotracheal intubation device comprising:a. an endotracheal tube having an endotracheal tube wall with a distalend; b. a chemiluminescent light source; and c. optical fibers implantedin the endotracheal tube wall adapted and positioned to shine lightdistally of the distal end of the endotracheal tube.
 8. The endotrachealintubation device of claim 7 further comprising a suction tube.
 9. Theendotracheal intubation device of claim 8 further comprising a suctionsource.
 10. The endotracheal intubation device of claim 7 furthercomprising a suction trocar.
 11. The endotracheal intubation device ofclaim 10 further wherein said suction trocar comprises a malleablematerial.
 12. The endotracheal intubation device of claim 7 wherein saidchemiluminescent material comprises a gel, liquid, or solid.